SJ Police Shoot, Kill Suspect

Bay City News

Published
4:00 am PDT, Thursday, May 26, 2005

2005-05-26 04:00:00 PDT San Jose -- A man shot and killed by a San Jose police officer early this morning has been identified as 34-year-old San Jose resident Samuel Martinez, according to police Officer Gina Tepoorten.

The shooting occurred at approximately 3 a.m. at a townhouse located in the 2700 block of Country Walk Circle.

Martinez was reportedly trying to force his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend, who was alone at the time with her three children. It remains unclear whether Martinez is the father of the children.

The woman reported that Martinez was attempting to break into the rear of her home.

The first officer to arrive on scene located Martinez getting out of a van, however the suspect did not comply with the officer's demands to surrender, Tepoorten said.

Martinez then allegedly charged at the officer, who deployed two Taser rounds with no apparent effect.

During the ensuing struggle, Martinez allegedly grabbed the officer around his waist and was able to take the officer's baton, according to Tepoorten.

Another attempt to subdue the suspect with a Taser round appeared to have been successful, but Martinez quickly recovered and allegedly advanced towards the officer with the baton in hand.

The officer then fired three shots, all of which are believed to have struck Martinez. He was taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center where he later died from his wounds.

The officer, a seven-year veteran of the police force, has been placed on routine administrative leave pending an ongoing investigation.

Backup officers had not arrived by the time the shooting had occurred.

Martinez does have a prior criminal history but no details were available. It remains unclear whether he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting.